Queens man gets life for dismembering woman in insurance scam

November 7, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN – A QUEENS MAN on Wednesday was sentenced in Brooklyn federal court by Judge Ann M. Donnelly to life in prison for murdering and dismembering a woman for $200,000 in life insurance; the man, Cory Martin of Rosedale, was convicted in March. Martin was also sentenced to 20 years for wire fraud conspiracy and two years for aggravated identity theft.

Martin, a pimp, lived with the victim, Brandy Odom, 26, and a co-conspirator, both sex workers. In March and December of 2017, Martin and the co-conspirator began planning the crime, fraudulently obtaining two life insurance policies in Odom’s name – paying partially with her own debit card – and watching the crime TV shows “The First 48” and “Dexter” for ideas.

In early April of 2018, Martin strangled Odom and used an electric saw to dismember her in the bathtub, covering the bathroom with garbage bags to avoid leaving evidence. Then, in the early morning of April 8 and April 9, the two discarded Odom’s body parts in Canarsie Park. Martin then conducted dozens of internet searches for articles and videos on the murder. Later, at Martin’s direction, his co-conspirator made several unsuccessful attempts to claim Odom’s life insurance benefits.

“Martin preyed on Brandy Odom,” U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace wrote in a press statement. “He saw the victim as a way to make money. He trafficked her for commercial sex, then killed her with his bare hands so he could profit from her death. The defendant believed he could thwart law enforcement and cover up this heinous crime by relying on television shows about murder, but the investigatory efforts of law enforcement brought him to justice. Brandy Odom’s life mattered and I hope that this sentence, which protects our community by ensuring that the defendant cannot victimize another person, brings some measure of closure to her family.”

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